3/4, 6/8, 12/8 ....
If you are creating a new piece or a section in one, how do you know which one to use? If you are listening to something, how can you tell which one it is?
I may be right sometimes I can be wrong, but here is my 'algorithm' - its all about the heavy down beat - if I can count to 4 between heavy down beats - its 12/8, if I can count to 2 its 6/8, if its all 1's - its 3/4.
This is sort of what the AI answer is for a Google search (see below). People always seem to get confused by this. How do you create and recognize between these three time signatures.
Answer this - for those familiar with the common rhythms of "Doo Wop" music (many are 4/4 but some are one of the above) of the late 50s/early 60s and some pop songs like Brenda Lee's "Emotions" (4/4 with a 'feel' of ...), what is the time signature?
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AI Overview
In music theory, 3/4, 6/8, and 12/8 time signatures represent different rhythmic groupings within a measure. 3/4 time has three beats per measure, 6/8 has two beats per measure (each beat subdivided into three), and 12/8 has four beats per measure (each beat subdivided into three).
3/4 Time:
Beats: Three beats per measure.
Counting: 1-2-3.
Feel: Strong-weak-weak.
Example: Waltz music.
6/8 Time:
Beats: Two beats per measure (each beat is a dotted quarter note).
Counting: 1-2.
Feel: Strong-weak.
Example: Some folk songs and classical pieces.
12/8 Time:
Beats: Four beats per measure (each beat is a dotted quarter note).
Counting: 1-2-3-4.
Feel: Strong-weak-medium-weak.
Example: Some blues and rock music.
In essence:
3/4 is a simple meter with three beats.
6/8 is a compound meter (two groups of three), but still felt in two.
12/8 is a compound meter (four groups of three), but still felt in four.
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Hi Joel Irwin! That's a really interesting point about Time Signatures! Honestly, yes. according to me, it's all about down beats, and where you feel them hitting. Moreover, in terms of composing using the time signatures, I've always found them to correlate with the feeling you're trying to get out of your piece, like you had said!